COVID-19 recoveries increase to 144

The government has just announced that the number of recoveries from COVID-19 in the Maldives has increased to 144.

This means that the country recorded 17 recoveries today. Recovery rates of the country have been steadily climbing as of recently.

The Maldives also confirmed a further 58 cases of the virus tonight, including 25 locals. The total number of cases confirmed so far now stands at 1,371. 688 Bangladeshi nationals have tested positive for the virus alone while 140 Indian nationals have also tested positive. The number of Maldivians that tested positive for the virus currently stands at 494.

The country recorded a community case of the virus in Male' City on April 15. It was identified after the first case of the virus confirmed in a resort in the country on March 7. Authorities imposed a lockdown order on Male' City after the community case. A travel ban was also introduced across the whole nation as a measure to control the virus. 

The Maldives currently has 1,221 active cases with 12 hospitalized. 1,650 individuals have been placed in quarantine facilities while 1,115 have been placed in isolation facilities.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had recently announced that the restrictions on the capital are to be relaxed in a bid to continue with life under a "New Normal". Industries are also set to be reopened with tourism expected to be kickstarted in June under a Safe Tourism Guideline. Airports, schools, and mosques as well as restaurants and cafes are also set to be reopened under phases.

Despite the relax in restrictions, authorities have warned the public that the country was not out of danger and are expecting case numbers around 30-50 per day. The President also warned that he would not hesitate to reimpose the restrictive measures if the situation in the country dwindled.